Apparatus and Method for Pattern Delivery of Radiation and Biological Characteristic Analysis

ABSTRACT

The present invention uses a high signal to noise ratio method and apparatus to analyze a characteristic of a biological object, such as blood glucose level. The method and apparatus can also have surgical applications, such as coagulation or ablation of a pattern on a biological object.

PRIORITY REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/682,655 filed Oct. 8, 2003, which claimsbenefit of and incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser.No. 60/423,345, entitled “System and Method for Pattern Delivery ofRadiation and Glucose Detection,” filed on Nov. 1, 2002, by inventorBrian Yen.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to radiation delivery andcharacteristic analysis, and more particularly, but not exclusively,provides a system and method for characteristic analysis using patterndelivery of radiation to a biological object.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas in which the pancreas produceslittle or no insulin or when the body does not respond properly toinsulin (“insulin resistance”). There is no cure for diabetes anddiabetics must generally manage the disease on a daily basis. One aspectof management includes injecting insulin, such as Lantus, multiple timesa day or dispensing it continuously via a pump. Improper administrationof insulin can lead to severe side effects including hyperglycemia inwhich blood glucose levels are too high, which can lead to damage tonerves, blood vessels, and other body organs. Improper administrationcan also lead to hypoglycemia, in which blood glucose levels are toolow, which can lead to passing out and even coma in worst casescenarios. Accordingly, as the amount of insulin dispensed needs to bevaried based on blood glucose levels, diabetics must frequently monitortheir blood glucose levels.

Conventionally, home glucose monitoring is performed using a glucoseblood meter, which yields results within a few minutes. In order todetermine a blood glucose level, a person must first prick his or herfinger with a small needle to collect a small amount of blood; the bloodmust then be placed on a test strip and inserted into the glucose testmeter, which analyzes the blood for a blood glucose level. A diabeticcan then adjust the amount of insulin to be dispensed accordingly.

A disadvantage of the conventional method of glucose monitoring is thatit requires the drawing of blood, which can be painful and inconvenient.Accordingly, as glucose monitoring is extremely important for diabeticsbecause of the risk of side effects, a new glucose monitoring system andmethod is needed that is non-invasive and pain free.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method fornon-invasive monitoring of blood glucose levels. Embodiments of theinvention can also be used for the analysis of other properties ofbiological and/or non-biological objects. Further, embodiments of theinvention can be used for pattern delivery of radiation, for example, incosmetic surgery such as tattoo removal or varicose vein removal.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises: detecting apattern on the biological object; emitting radiation onto the detectedpattern; collecting at least a portion of radiation that is reflected bythe pattern on the object; and analyzing the collected radiation todetermine a characteristic of the biological object.

An apparatus to carry out the method comprises an imaging detector, amirror, a radiation emitter, a radiation detection assembly, andelectronics. The imaging detector is positioned to receive a first typeof reflected radiation from the biological object. The mirror isadjustable to reflect radiation onto a pattern on the object. Theradiation emitter is capable of emitting radiation of a second type andpositioned to emit the second type of radiation onto the mirror. Theradiation detection assembly is positioned to receive reflectedradiation of the second type from the biological object. Theelectronics, which is coupled to the imaging detector, radiationemitter, mirror and radiation detection assembly, is capable ofidentifying a pattern on the object using reflected radiation data fromthe imaging detector; adjusting the mirror to reflect the second type ofradiation onto the identified pattern; and analyzing a characteristic ofthe object using reflected radiation data from the radiation detectionassembly.

Accordingly, the apparatus and method provide a high signal to noiseratio without the need for high energy levels by using directedradiation, thereby avoiding interference problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an eye;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a device capable of pattern detectionand pattern delivery of radiation;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the controlling electronics of thedevice of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the persistent memory of thedevice of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of pattern delivery ofradiation and analysis based on reflected radiation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to enable any person havingordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is providedin the context of a particular application and its requirements. Variousmodifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art, and the principles defined herein may beapplied to other embodiments and applications without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accordedthe widest scope consistent with the principles, features and teachingsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an eye 100. The eye 100 is approximately 2.5 cmwide by 2.5 cm deep, with a height of 2.3 cm. The outer layer 120 of theeye is called the sclera and the approximately ⅙ of the sclera that isclear and exposed is referred to as the cornea. Extraocular muscles arecoupled to the sclera and move the eye 100. The colored region 110 isthe pupil of the eye 100 and is located in a second layer (i.e.,choroid) of the eye 100 beneath the sclera 120. The choroid and thesclera 120 include a plurality of blood vessels, such as blood vessel130, that supply blood to different regions of the eye. Generally, theblood vessels in the sclera 120 are the blood vessels in the body thatare the most directly exposed to radiation. Accordingly, non-invasiveanalyte detection via spectrum analysis of blood is most easily andaccurately performed using the blood vessels of the eyes. The bloodvessels in the sclera 120 generally follow a non-linear path within thesclera and have varying thicknesses.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a device 200 capable of detecting apattern on the eye 100 and then delivering radiation to the eye 100 thatcoincides with the pattern. For example, the device 200 can detect theblood vessel 130 and deliver radiation that is coincident with the bloodvessel 130 of the eye 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the device200 can detect a pattern on any object and then deliver patternradiation to that object, regardless of whether the object is ofbiological or non-biological origin. For example, the device 200 candetect the pattern of a grain of wood and then deliver pattern radiationsuch that the radiation is coincident with that grain of the wood. In analternative example, the device 200 can detect a stress fracture patternof an aluminum aircraft wing and deliver pattern radiation to thealuminum skin of the aircraft wing such that it is coincident with thestress fracture pattern. In another embodiment of the invention, thedevice 200 can deliver radiation that is coincident with an areasurrounding or near to the pattern.

In an embodiment of the invention, the device 200 can also select apattern or a set of patterns according to preset parameters if theobject has a plurality of patterns. For example, the device 200 canselect the blood vessel 130 in the eye 100 based on thickness, length,and/or color (e g., red).

In another embodiment of the invention, the device 200 determines (e.g.,detects and/or measures) characteristics of an object by performing aspectrum analysis of radiation radiated by the pattern, using reflectivespectroscopy from reflected radiation from radiation incident on thepattern and/or using transmissive spectroscopy from diffuse radiation onan area surrounding or near the pattern. (Hereinafter, the term“radiated radiation” will refer to reflected radiation, diffuseradiation, and/or other radiation). For example, the device 200 candetect the presence of glucose and/or measure glucose concentrations inthe blood vessel 130. It will be appreciated that the device 200 cancollect the radiated radiation as either an absorbance spectrum, aninterferogram, or any property associated with the exciting source, suchas Raman Scattering, fluorecence, scatter, etc. that would be modifiedby the presence of the analyte of interest. Other techniques forcollecting the radiated radiation may also be used. It will also beappreciated that other chemicals (also referred to as analytes) besidesglucose may be detected and/or measured using the device 200.

The device 200 comprises an electronics section 200 a and a hood 200 b.The electronics section 200 a, as will be discussed further inconjunction with FIG. 3-FIG. 5, houses electronics for detectingpattern(s) on an object; selecting a pattern on the object if the objectincludes more than one pattern; delivering radiation to the object thatis coincident with the detected and selected pattern (and/or coincidentwith an area surrounding or near to the object); and detecting and/ormeasuring at least one characteristic of the object or of the pattern onthe object based the radiated radiation. The electronics section 200 acan also include electronics for coagulating or ablating a detectedpattern on an object.

The hood 200 b covers the object that radiation is to be applied to. Forexample, the hood 200 b can cover the eye 100. The hood 200 b can bemade of plastic or other suitable material that is impervious to light.Because the hood 200 b is impervious to light, it prevents unwantedlight radiation from interfering with the pattern detection andradiation application functions of the device 200. The hood 200 b can beof a rigid structure or a non-rigid structure. An advantage of using anon-rigid structure is that it enables application to a wide variety ofobjects having varying dimensions. In an embodiment of the invention,the hood 200 b can be custom made according to facial characteristics ofan individual so that the hood 200 b can securely cover the eye 100 andprevent light radiation from interfering with the pattern detection,radiation delivery, and characteristic detection/measurement functionsof the device 200.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the device 200. The electronics section 200a includes controlling electronics 300; a radiation emitter 310; adigital micro-mirror device 320 or other radiation directing device; alow level imaging illuminator 330; focusing optics 360; a CCD imagingdetector 370; a beam splitter 380; and a return radiation detectionassembly 390, such as a pixilated detector. The controlling electronics300, as will be discussed in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 4and FIG. 5, is communicatively coupled to the radiation emitter 310; thedigital micro-mirror device 320 (or other radiation directing device);the low level imaging illuminator 330; the focusing optics 360; the CCDimaging detector 370; and the return radiation detection assembly 390.Further, the controlling electronics 300 controls the radiation emitter310; the digital micro-mirror device 320 (or other radiation directingdevice); the low level imaging illuminator 330; and the focusing optics360. In an embodiment of the invention, the controlling electronics 300detects and/or analyzes at least one characteristic (e.g., glucoseconcentration) of the object that radiation is being applied to based onradiated radiation received by the return radiation detection assembly390.

The radiation emitter 310 emits structured radiation 340 that iscoincident on a pattern detected on an object, such as the blood vessel130 on the eye 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the radiationemitter 310 emits radiation that is coincident with an area surroundingor near to the pattern, thereby enabling the use of transmissivespectroscopy with diffuse radiation surrounding the pattern. In anembodiment of the invention, the radiation emitted is in the nearinfra-red spectrum, e.g. about 700 nm to about 3 microns, and is usedfor spectrum analysis. In another embodiment of the invention, theradiation is of a different wavelength, e.g., about 800 nm, and is usedfor ablation or coagulation. It will be appreciated that radiation ofother wavelengths may be used according to the application. Thisradiation is reflected by the digital micro-mirror device 320 (which canbe made of or coated with aluminum and/or gold and/or other materials),which is controlled by the controlling electronics 300, onto the beamsplitter 380, which in turn reflects the radiation through the focusingoptics 360 onto a detected pattern on the object (and/or an areasurrounding or near to the pattern). It will be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art that other techniques may be used fordirecting radiation emitting by the radiation emitter 310. In anotherembodiment of the invention, a different radiation directing device maybe used in place of the digital micro-mirror device 320. For example, aLCD panel may be used to selectively block radiation emitted by theradiation emitter 310. In another embodiment of the invention, theradiation emitter 310 may itself be the radiation directing device sinceit can be swivel-mounted to the electronics section 200 a, therebyenabling the radiation emitter 310 to direct the radiation onto anobject without the need for a mirror 320 or other device.

The low level imaging illuminator 330 emits low level radiation that canbe of a different wavelength of the radiation emitted by the radiationemitter 310. Specifically, in an embodiment of the radiation emitted isoutside of the critical detection range of the return radiationdetection assembly 390 but within the range detectable by the CCDimaging detector 370. For example, the illuminator 330 may include a lowlevel green or blue light emitting diode (LED). An example of suitableradiation that the low level imaging illuminator 330 emits is visibleradiation have a wavelength of 500 nm. The low level radiation emittedby the illuminator 330 illuminates an object having a pattern on it.

The controlling electronics 300, in conjunction with the CCD imagingdetector 370, use the low level radiation that is reflected from theobject to detect a pattern on the object. If there is more than onepattern on the object, the controlling electronics 300 can also select apattern based on pre-set parameters. Based on the detection andselection, the controlling electronics 300 controls movement of thedigital micro-mirror device 320 or other radiation directing device suchthat radiation emitted by the radiation emitter 310 traces the detectedselected pattern on the object. In another embodiment of the invention,the controlling electronics directs a radiation directing device suchthat radiation emitted by the radiation emitter 310 surrounds or is nearto the pattern, but substantially not incident on the pattern itself.

The beam splitter 380 splits radiated radiation 350 into two separatebeams. A first beam impacts the return radiation detection assembly 390and a second beam impacts the CCD imaging detector 370. As mentionedabove, the controlling electronics 300 in conjunction with the CCDimaging detector 370, use the reflected radiation to determine thelocation of the pattern and control the digital micro-mirror device 320so that radiation emitted by the radiation emitter 310 traces thedetected pattern and/or an area surrounding or near to the pattern. Thecontrolling electronics 300 uses the radiation received by the returnradiation detection assembly 390 to detect a characteristic and/oranalyze characteristics, such as analyte concentration, of the object orpattern on the object using spectrum analysis techniques, as will bediscussed in further detail in conjunction with FIG. 6. In an embodimentof the invention, the return radiation detection assembly 390 includes apixilated detector, thereby enabling spatially determining from wherethe radiated radiation is from (e.g., which part of the blood vesselradiated the radiation 350).

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the controlling electronics 300 inan embodiment of the present invention. While other application-specificalternatives might be utilized, it will be presumed for the sake ofclarity that the elements comprising the controlling electronics 300 areimplemented in hardware, software or some combination thereof by one ormore processing systems consistent therewith, unless otherwiseindicated.

The controlling electronics includes a central processing unit (CPU)405; working memory 410; persistent memory 420; input/output (I/O)interface 430; display 440 and input device 450, all communicativelycoupled to each other via system bus 460. The CPU 405 may include anIntel PENTIUM microprocessor, a Motorola POWER PC microprocessor, or anyother processor capable to execute software stored in the persistentmemory 420. The working memory 410 may include random access memory(RAM) or any other type of read/write memory devices or combination ofmemory devices. The persistent memory 420 may include a hard drive, readonly memory (ROM) or any other type of memory device or combination ofmemory devices that can retain data after the controlling electronics300 is shut off. The I/O interface 430 is communicatively coupled, viawired or wireless techniques, to the radiation emitter 310; the digitalmicro-mirror device 320; the low level imaging illuminator 330; thefocusing optics 360; the CCD imaging detector 370; and the returnradiation detection assembly 390. The display 440 may include a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or other display device. The input device 450 mayinclude a keypad or other device for inputting data, or a combination ofdevices for inputting data. In an embodiment of the invention, thecontrolling electronics 300 also includes a speaker that can emit auraldata. The speaker may be in place of or in addition to the display 440.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the controlling electronics300 may also include additional devices, such as network connections,additional memory, additional processors, LANs, input/output lines fortransferring information across a hardware channel, the Internet or anintranet, etc. One skilled in the art will also recognize that theprograms and data may be received by and stored in the controllingelectronics 300 in alternative ways.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the persistent memory 420. Thepersistent memory 420 includes a radiation emitter engine 500; aradiation directing engine 510; an illuminator engine 520; an opticsengine 530; a pattern selection engine 540; a pattern selectionparameters file 550; a feedback engine 560; and an analysis engine 570.The radiation emitter engine 500 controls the radiation emitter 310including the wavelength of the radiation emitted in an embodiment inwhich radiation emitter 310 can emit variable wavelength radiation, andthe duration of the radiation emission. The radiation directing engine510, in conjunction with the feedback engine 560, controls thepositioning of the digital micro-mirror device 320 or other radiationdirecting device such that radiation emitted by the radiation emitter310 traces a detected pattern and/or an area surrounding or near to thedetected pattern, such as blood vessel 130, on an object, such as theeye 100.

The illuminator engine 520 controls the functioning of the low levelimaging illuminator 330 including the wavelength of the emissions in anembodiment in which the low level imaging illuminator 330 can emitvariable wavelengths of radiation, and the duration of the emission. Theoptics engine 530 controls the focusing optics 360 so that thestructured radiation 340 emitted by the radiation emitter 310 is focusedon the object, such as the eye 100. The pattern selection engine 540selects a pattern illuminated by the low level imaging illuminator 330and imaged on the CCD imaging detector 370. The selection is based onparameters stored in the pattern selection parameters file 550. Examplesof parameters could include a pattern within a range of thicknesses andwithin a range of lengths. It will be appreciated that the parameterscan include any number of specifications within pre-specified ranges orhaving no maximums or minimums.

The feedback engine 560 determines the position of the selected patternand sends coordinate information to radiation directing engine 510 sothat the radiation directing engine 510 can direct radiation emitted bythe radiation emitter 310 onto the pattern and/or an area surrounding ornear to the pattern. The feedback engine can perform this determinationand sending on a very frequent basis, e.g., 200 times/second in oneembodiment, so that even if the object is moving, the digitalmicro-mirror device 320 or other radiation directing device can stilltrack the pattern and therefore the radiation emitted by the radiationemitter 310 remains coincident on the pattern and/or an area surroundingor near to the pattern despite the movement.

The analysis engine 570 detects and/or calculates at least onecharacteristic of the selected pattern or object based on the radiatedradiation 350 received at the return radiation detection assembly 390.In an embodiment of the invention, the analysis engine 570 uses spectrumanalysis to determine the concentration of an analyte within theselected pattern. For example, the analysis engine 570 can use spectrumanalysis to determine glucose concentration within the blood vessel 130of the eye 100. The analysis engine 570 can use techniques for spectrumanalysis of glucose and other analytes that are described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,061,582, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other patentsthat disclose techniques relating to optical detection that analysisengine 570 can use include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,025,597; 6,026,314;6,028,311; 6,151,522; 6,181,957; 6,188,477; 6,246,893; and 6,276,798,which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other techniques thatanalysis engine 570 can use are disclosed in various journal articlesthat are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, thearticles “Spectroscopic and Clinical Aspects of Noninvasive GlucoseMeasurements” by Omar S. Khalil (Clinical Chemistry 45:2, 1999);“Optical Measurement of Glucose Levels in Scattering Media” by GilwonYoon et al. (Proceedings of the 20th Annual International Conference ofthe IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Vol. 20, No. 4,1998); and “Multivariate Determination of Glucose Using NIR Spectra ofHuman Blood Serum” by Fredric M. Ham et al. (IEEE 1994), which arehereby incorporated by reference, disclose techniques that the analysisengine 570 may use.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method 600 of pattern delivery ofradiation and analysis based on reflected radiation. First, low levelradiation of a first type is emitted (610). This radiation can beoutside the critical detection range, e.g., outside the detection rangeof the return radiation detector assembly 390, but within the CCDimaging detector 370 detection range. For example, if the returnradiation detector assembly 390 detects NIR radiation, then the lowlevel radiation can include light emitted by a low level green or blueLED. Next, the user is advised (615) to position the device hood 200 bover the object, e.g., his or her eye. It will be appreciated that thedevice hood 200 b can be placed over any object having a pattern.Further, it will be appreciated that advising (615) need not beincluding in method 600. It will be further appreciated that advising(615) can be done via aural, visual techniques and/or other techniques(e.g., tactile feedback).

After advising (615), a desired location is examined (620). For example,the sclera or choroid of an eye 100 can be examined (620) for one ormore blood vessels. Next, the desired structure or pattern is identified(625). If there is a plurality of patterns, the desired pattern can beidentified (625) based on pre-specified parameters, such as thickness,color (e.g., red), and/or length of the pattern. If a pattern is (630)not identified (625), then the advising (615) and examining (620) isrepeated until a suitable pattern is identified (625).

After a suitable pattern is identified (625), radiation of a second typeis emitted (635) and directed (640) towards the pattern or structureidentified (625). The radiation may include radiation for testing (e.g.,spectrum analysis) and/or ablation and/or coagulation and/or otherpurposes. If the radiation is for a testing application, then theradiation can include NIR radiation. If the radiation is for ablation orcoagulation, then the radiation should include higher energy radiation,such as radiation having a wavelength of about 800 nm. The process ofexamining (620), identifying (625) and emitting (635) is repeated at afrequent rate, such as at 200 times/second such that the radiationtracks any movement of the identified pattern. For example, if eye 100is moving, the examining (620), identifying (625), and emitting (635)will track the blood vessel 130 and continue to impact radiation ontothe blood vessel 130 and/or an area surrounding or near to the bloodvessel 130 despite the movement.

If (640) this is a coagulation/ablation process, then emission (645) iscontinued for a suitable amount of time according to the application.After emission (645) is complete, the device 200 is turned (650) off andmethod 600 ends.

If (640) this is a testing application, then radiated radiation from theemitting (635) is collected (655) and then filtered (660) to isolate aspecific analyte's spectrum signature. After filtering (660), amathematical model is applied (665) to the filtered data to determineconcentration of the analyte. The result is then completed (670) andoutput aurally or visually, e.g., via display 440. Determining analyteconcentration, such as glucose concentration, via spectrum analysis isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,582, which is hereby incorporated byreference. The method 600 then ends.

The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of the presentinvention is by way of example only, and other variations andmodifications of the above-described embodiments and methods arepossible in light of the foregoing teaching. For example, embodiments ofthe invention can be used for purposes other than glucose monitoring.Further, components of this invention may be implemented using aprogrammed general purpose digital computer, using application specificintegrated circuits, or using a network of interconnected conventionalcomponents and circuits. Connections may be wired, wireless, modem, etc.The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive orlimiting. The present invention is limited only by the following claims.

1. A method for determining a characteristic of a biological object,comprising: detecting a pattern on the biological object; emittingradiation onto the detected pattern; collecting at least a portion ofradiation that is reflected by the pattern on the object; and analyzingthe collected radiation to determine a characteristic of the biologicalobject.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic includesblood glucose levels.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the biologicalobject includes an eye.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the patternincludes a blood vessel.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the detectingcomprises imaging the biological object with radiation having awavelength different from the wavelength of the emitted radiation andprocessing the image based on color.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe emitted radiation includes near infrared radiation.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the emitting the radiation includes tracking thepattern with the radiation if the pattern is moving.
 8. An apparatus fordetermining a characteristic of a biological object, compromising: animaging detector positioned to receive a first type of reflectedradiation from the biological object; a radiation directing devicecapable of directing a second type of radiation onto a pattern on theobject; a radiation detection assembly positioned to receive reflectedradiation of the second type from the biological object; andelectronics, coupled to the imaging detector, radiation directing deviceand radiation detection assembly, capable of identifying a pattern onthe object using reflected radiation data from the imaging detector,adjusting the radiation directing device to direct the second type ofradiation onto the identified pattern, and determining a characteristicof the object using reflected radiation data from the radiationdetection assembly.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thecharacteristic includes blood glucose levels.
 10. The apparatus of claim8, wherein the biological object includes an eye.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the pattern includes a blood vessel.
 12. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein the electronics identifies a pattern by processingthe image based on color.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein theradiation directing device includes a digital micro-mirror.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the second type of radiation includes nearinfrared radiation.
 15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first typeof radiation includes blue or green light.
 16. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the electronics is further capable of tracking the identifiedpattern if the pattern is moving.
 17. The apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe radiation detection assembly includes a pixilated detector.
 18. Asystem for determining a characteristic of a biological object,comprising: a radiation directing engine capable of adjusting aradiation direction device such that emitted radiation is directed ontoa pattern on the object; a feedback engine, communicatively coupled tothe radiation directing engine, capable of determining the position ofthe pattern; and an analysis engine, capable of determining acharacteristic of the object using radiation reflected from the pattern.19. The system of claim 18, wherein the characteristic includes bloodglucose levels.
 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the biologicalobject includes an eye.
 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the patternincludes a blood vessel.
 22. The system of claim 18, further comprisinga pattern selection engine, communicatively coupled to the feedbackengine, capable of identifying the pattern on the object.
 23. The systemof claim 18, wherein the feedback engine is further capable tracking thepattern if the pattern is moving.
 24. A system, comprising: means fordetecting a pattern on the biological object; means for emittingradiation onto the detected pattern; means for collecting at least aportion of radiation that is reflected by the pattern on the object; andmeans for analyzing the collected radiation to determine acharacteristic of the biological object.
 25. A method, comprising:detecting a pattern on a biological object; and emitting radiation ontothe detected pattern.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the radiationhas a wavelength used for coagulation.
 27. The method of claim 25,wherein the radiation has a wavelength used for ablation.
 28. The methodof claim 25, wherein the radiation has a wavelength used for analysis.29. An apparatus, compromising: an imaging detector positioned toreceive a first type of reflected radiation from a biological object; aradiation directing device adjustable to direct a second type ofradiation onto a pattern on the object; and electronics, coupled to theimaging detector and radiation directing device, capable of identifyinga pattern on the object using reflected radiation data from the imagingdetector, and adjusting the radiation directing device to direct thesecond type of radiation onto the identified pattern.
 30. The apparatusof claim 29, wherein the second type of radiation has a wavelength usedfor coagulation.
 31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second typeof radiation has a wavelength used for ablation.
 32. The apparatus ofclaim 29, wherein the second type of radiation has a wavelength used foranalysis.
 33. A system, comprising: a pattern selection engine capableof identifying a pattern on a biological object; a feedback engine,communicatively coupled to the pattern selection engine, capable ofdetermining the position of the pattern; and a radiation directingengine, communicatively coupled to the feedback engine, capable ofadjusting a radiation directing device such that emitted radiationemitted is directed onto a pattern on a biological object.
 34. Thesystem of claim 33, wherein the radiation has a wavelength used forcoagulation.
 35. The system of claim 33, wherein the radiation has awavelength used for ablation.
 36. The system of claim 33, wherein theradiation has a wavelength used for analysis.
 37. A system, comprising:means for detecting a pattern on a biological object; and means foremitting radiation onto the detected pattern.